April 2021
Life is Opening Up A Little Bit
The USA is Getting Vaccinated
The Covid Variant is Roaring Around The World
1-TH- PA
I sent to see the movie, The Courier and then I stopped in at Consechocken brewery (1) afterwards. It was a nice day.
It's been two years since Bill brown died of a heart attack.
2-F- PA/MD/DC
It was so damn sunny when I work up which just filled me with optimism for my day's adventure. Needless to say, I was stunned when I stepped out on my balcony and discovers that it was 39F. Damn it was cold. It is colder than yesterday.
I drove to the DC area to see the cherry blossoms. I didnt go in to the midtown area as I thought the traffic would be too difficult to manage on a friend. Instead, I drove around neighborhoods in Maryland. The trees were beautiful but next year, I am going to venture in to the Mall and see the trees.
Afterwards, I went to the Three Star brewery- DC- (2). This brewery fulfills my Beer in Every State Goal for the DC area. The beers were nothing to brag about.
3- SA- PA
There was a gathering at Sharon's house for an early Easter celebration. I hate Easter but it was great fun to see everyone and to have a moment of being together after months of being apart.
I finally got to meet Peter and he is adorable.
4-SU-PA
The day started with a text from Sharon, reminding me that we had a family zoom call. I was already 7 minutes late for the event. Afterwards, we had Easter lunch at the anderkos.
5-M- PA
It's a gorgueous day and an awful day for a funeral. Debbie called me at 10 AM to see if I was ready to join her for Joe's viewing. I wasn't even out of bed yet. So I got up half an hour later and drove down to the church.
I came home and got myself settled in my blue chair when the fire alarm went off. I grabbed my coat, keys and purse just in case we were going to be outside for too long. Mostly I chatted with Harrison who told me about his divorce.
My 3PM meeting with the tax guy was rescheduled because he couldn't find the paperwork that I dropped off last week.
On the way back to my apartment, I drove around the borough and took photos of the blooming flower trees. OMG, the east coast of the USA is just beautiful at this time of year.
I watched Pieces of a Woman, and I can only ask why is this film nominated for Best Picture?
6- TU- PA
I had lunch with Leslie and Marianne at a restaurant. What a treat to get together with people.
I finally, finally, finally got off my lazy ass and walked around town for the first time in over a year. But, but, but, I did stop for a fucking double dip, expresso ice ream cone. That has to stop immediately.
7- W- PA/NJ
zoom call with sharon and others
I drive to NJ to see Elliot and Peter and their parents.
I just love how kids are filled with wonderment and goodwill. Elliot wants a relationship with me regardless of my old age, looks, energy level, or anything else. He wanted to play with me. he wanted to sit on my lap. He wanted to have conversations with me. And I loved all of it.
rooftop cocktail hour
8- TH- NJ/PA
Elliot asked us if we could go to the Green Playground. We played for a few hours and I needed a nap afterwards.
5100 steps
On the way home I stopped at Tindall Brewery- NJ- (3). They had an orange cremiscle hazy IPA that was delcious. So I orederd a crowler to go and was stunned when they cahrged $20 for 32 ounces. I am going to remembe to ask for the price the next time.
9- F- PA
Suburban Brewery-PA- (4)
10- SA- PA
This morning, I got up to relieve myself so I decided I would do a quick weigh in. I was so happy. I was down 2 pounds. My routine of green smoothies for breakfast are paying off (so I thought). I went back to bed and got up two hours later and weighed myself again. The damn two pounds are back. Fuck them.
I spent the afternoon, going through my hundreds of photos and deleting all that I can.
In the early evening, I succumbed to my urge and went to Walmart and bought 12 small plants.
Later, I got hooked in to another mini-series on the biggest art heist in the country. I think the pot smoking, irresponsible, anti-establishment security guard was in on the theft.
11- SU- PA
It's 28 years since Christopher is gone.
I had another Bangladesh zoom call. And as has been a common experience, only two of the five students showed up. Even Nadia was annoyed with them.
The weather wasn't great so I hung in the lounge with Debbie for a few hours. Steve came and join us for a little bit.
12- M- PA
I finally got my taxes finished and I owe $8000. I fucking hate to pay taxes. And it just seems to ne that everyone else is not paying taxes or scamming on their taxes and mine just seem to be going up even though I am making the same lousy salary every year.
To drown my sorrows, I went out and bought 6 more plants for my garden. Several of the plants i bought last week are dead already. It's too early to plant outside but I am too anxious to get started.
Another black man was murdered while being arrested. This time, the cop was a woman. The George Floyd trial is still going on and that is just a damning shit show. We are out of control.
13- TU- PA
Jon arranged a time for us to meet in the lounge. It's become such a rare occasion anymore. It was just Steve, Jon and me. Jon looked absolutely awful. He had a black eye and a big scab on his elbow and he complained about lots of pain in his shoulder. He walked like an old man. He told me that he had a very bad fall in his apartment two weeks ago and he is still recovering. His doctor said he did so much damage on his shoulder that he now needs surgery. But he isn't joining to bother. He was just going to live with the pain. When I asked him what happened, he confesses that he is drinking way too much these days. We are going to find him dead in his apartment one day.
I checked in on my group of students who are having conversations with one another. Two fo the women are from China and two from Nepal and two from Bangladesh. The Muslims have started their fasting obligations for Ramadan and are backing out of their involvement at the moment our to fatigue and sickness from fasting.
I had a zoon call with Jerrie. She wants to start a program in AZ. So we spoke to some city legislator in Phoenix. I am suggesting that she target African American sororities. These women join these organizations and they stay committed to them until death. Jerrie wasn't quite understanding my take on the situation so I called Fonda Akins and asked her to jump on the call. She did and she confirmed my take on these sororities. So that may be the route we will take.
Cindy texted me to tell me that Clay won his race today and he was named runner of the year in his regional division. I can't wait for the state commotion on April 23.
14- W- PA
I had full intentions of going to the Japanese Garden in Fairmount Park but the weather called for rain all afternoon. So I headed to Jenkin Abortuem instead. And what a great choice that was. It was just beautiful. Just about every plant is about to burst open. I will have to go again soon to see this spectualt rebirth.
I tried out Tom's camera and had trouble with it. I took about 250 photos and I am not really pleased with most of them. I think my lease is only microscopic so most of my photos look the same and are too burred. I am going to have to practice more often.
Afterwards, I stopped by Locust Lane Brewery (5). I've been here before and I should come more often because the owners are Penn Staters. They host lots of football games. I haven't been to any of them but I think I will go this upcoming season.
I'm using my Apple Watch again and as I slipped in to bed, I checked the number of steps I took today and discovered that I burned 261 calories. That's just great because I probably ate 2000 calories today. I have to step it up NOW.
Tweet: I feel helpless and out of control. How do we stop this blatant genocide against African Americans? #DanteWright #BLM #GeorgeFloyd #BreannaTaylor #FreddieGray #EricGarner #institutionalracism #SandraBland and too many others to mention.
15- TH- PA
I could not fall asleep at all last night. It was 630AM and I dont think i dozed off for even a moment. Normally, I would have taken a sleep aid at this point but I had a damn noon zoom meeting so I couldn't afford that risk of sleeping through my meeting.
Sharon wants to launch a new software program for her company. And for some reason, she wants me in the process. I think she needs someone in the group to be at her level of IT knowledge.
After the meeting, I sat in the lounge and Andrea stopped over to check in on Jon. She wanted to know if I thought he was alright. I probably told her more than I should. But I think there is great potential for Jon to fall in his apartment and lay there for days before anyone realizes he is in destress. She wants me to ask him to be put on his guest list so that I could enter his apartment as needed. I do not want to get on that list.
I just tried to hang on my balcony. The moment is glorious but windy so it isn't as pleasant as I would like it to be.
I had a call with Laydon and I could hardly wait to chat with her. I wanted to get her take on the Muslims who are fasting for Ramadan. When I posed the question, she tried so hard to be polite but she is baffled as to why anyone would fast until she felt sick.
After this call, I received a call from Emelia Chamberlain. I haven't talked to her since Darcy died. She just wanted to chat with me. We spoke fro about an hour and it was great to catch up with her.
The world received yet another report that a 13 year old Black boy was gunned down by the police in Chicago.
16- F- PA
Some of my new flowers, in my garden, are already dying and others are bursting out of their pots.
Judas and The Black Messiah was a difficult movie to watch. When I got home, I watched another movie, a documentary about a black man who was wrongly convicted. I loved how he viewed this time as a time for him to heal himself from his bad behaviors. He had had some run-ins with the law and so he was familiar with jail life. Rather than fight and be angry about the injustices, he chose to have faith in God and the system. After 17 years, he was finally released to his family.
Vanessa wrote to my high school gang and told us that Michelle Fuller has lung cancer and has moved in to a rehab facility. That's not good news. Rosina texted Vanessa and me to see if we want to go to FL to see Michelle. Vanessa is trying her best to keep Rosina at bay. Michelle's family is down there now and trying to get her settled in to this new environment. I told Rosina that we could fly down there for a day and see Michelle. We will have to wait a while until we can even find out if they will let non-family members in right now.
There was another mass shooting today. Someone went in to a FedEx and shot up too many people. We have had so many shooting that I can no longer keep up with them. Our cops are killing people and our angry, white males are killing people and I have become numb to these evetnstanymore.
17- SA- PA
I met up with Deb, Lisa and Mary and we went to the New Ridge Brewery (6) in Roxborough. It was nice but I wasn't impressed. So I won't go back there.
18- SU- PA/NJ
I picked up Jane Momer at her hotel and we drove to Hymies in Mersion Station to meet Kathi Lewis for lunch. I love going to Hymies. After that, we drove to Long Beach Island for two days.
19- M- NJ
The beach was a little too windy to sit on the beach. So, instead, I just collected scallop shells. The water glistened in the sun.
OMG, my dinner was great.
20- TU- NJ/PA
Jane cleaned the house a little bit and I ran back up to the beach. Mid-afternoon, I dropped her off at the airport. She went back to Florida and I went home and got sucked in to another damn mini-series: The Making of a Murderer. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. I went 45 years without a Tv and now, because of Covid, I have gotten in a routine of just sitting down and being entertain by this small laptop screen. I must get back to my reading routine.
The verdict is in. The police officer who killed George Floyd was found guilty on all three counts. What a relief. Justice has been served and the world did not implode in potential anger.
21- W- PA
I spent the day watching the men power wash my balcony. They did a great job and my balcony looks much better as it forced me to clean up some of the debris that was accumulating over these past four summers.
Tweet; I pledge allegiance to liberty and justice for all. #BLM #GeorgeFloyd #GeorgeFloydJusticeInPolicingAct
22- TH- PA/VA
Today was a road trip day. I drove to Middlebrook, VA to visit with Brian and his family. Tomorrow, Clay is going to run in a state competition and he is a big contender.
23- F- VA
Cindy's phone was stolen just as we were about to get to the race. We were so mad and helpless about the situation. A woman stole it in the public rest room.
Today was the Great Race in VA. Clay finished 2nd in the state for his long distance run. He was disappointed and I was sorry he was disappointed. But I was thrilled.
I took everyone out for a victory dinner. There were 8 of us and we all eat well. I got the bill and it was only $80. Everyone thought I was so generous and I was so amused at how low the bill was. That's the beaty of eating out with people who do not consume alcohol.
Sharon sent us all a note to tell us that she has cancer. I am devastated.
24- SA- VA
Brian took us to this little country store to taste their favorite soup: Alabama Camp Stew which is like a vegatable soup but with more meat.
In the afternoon, Brian showed me how to chop wood and I stucked at it. But I could see if you were strong enough to do this, this repetive act could be a mediation of some sort.
In the evening we went to two breweries (6) (7). Gus was our designed driver.
25- SU- VA/PA
zoom meeting
It was a long ride home.
I stayed up until 4 PM to watch Making A Murderer. This show never ends.
26- M- PA
It's Tricia's birthday. She is 62. How did we get to be so old.
I slept in late and had great thoughts that I would get things done today. I got some things done and I ran off to Costco to buy things I didn't need. But then I came home and slipped in to my blue chair. OMG, I spent the whole damn day watching Making A Murderer and I think the show never ends. I think I have 15+ hours invested in this show of injustice.
27- TU- PA
I had oncology and radiology visits. I told everyone who passed my path that Iwas cancer free. I'm relieved.
My weight is a concerned to me. I have to get back to working on controllling this mess.
I check in with heather and deirdre. I am sure they are so worried about Sharon's cancer diagnosis.
I wandered around Jerkings Gardens. I love to roam around here by myself.
I wandered thtorugh Elkhart Park, local park in WC. It's the frist time I've been here and I was surprised to discover what a sweet, little place it is..
I am finally finished watching The Making of the Murdere series and the issue is not yet resolved which means there will be a 3rd season that will suck me in some time too soon. Damn, this guy needs to have a new trial.
28- W- PA/DE
Jaye and I went to the movies to see The Father. OMG, what a great movie. It is the story of a father who has alzheimers and by the time the movie was over, I thought I had alzheimers.
I came home and watched Ma Rameys' Black Bottom and didn't really like it.
29- TH- PA
I am taking over sharon's tasks as she starts her cancer treatment.
I called Sharon and she sounded stronger than she's sounded in a while. This gives me optimism. She said she will hear from the pathologist in about a week.
Later, I met up with Bob and Steve in the lounge. I miss those moments when we would all just hang out together but I think we should be back to much of that routine by the summer.
I took Jin and Joann out for dinner to celebration my clean health news. We went to a Mediterean resturant and the food was delicious.
I watched the Lorna Babbitt story. She cut off her husband's penis and he deserved it.
Finally, finally, I walked 5000 steps today. I hope this is the beginning of gaining back my dismal walking ability.
30- F- PA
It's sunny, beautiful, windy and a bit chilly. I had to rearrange some things on my balcony because of the high winds.
I went to the library today for the first time in about 1 1/2 years. When I lived in MD, I went to the library several times a week. But now, I can't be bothered. This library system is aggravating.
Tweet: I don’t know why but for the last 100 days, my tweets have been boring. I’m not filled with rage anymore. I’m content and relieved and proud and hopeful and grateful. Is anyone else having this problem? #BidensAmerica #BidenHarris
